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Looking at the Stars' trades of 2013

STEVEHUNT

FS Southwest

Since Wednesday is the NHL Trade Deadline and with the
Dallas Stars being very active prior to this year's deadline, what better time to look at the moves the Stars have made thus far, who the winners were, the losers and the future implications. Here's a look:

Fistric had been Dallas' seventh defenseman for some time, both under Marc Crawford and Glen Gulutzan, occasionally called upon to deliver a big, physical presence at the Stars blueline but that was about it when it came to his role. So, when the Stars signed
Aaron Rome last off-season, it was clear that Fistric would likely go. This move worked out well for him as he is an Edmonton native. Fistric has appeared in just 17 games with the Oilers, making the fact the Stars got a third-rounder for him in this year's draft a nice return.
Winner: Stars

Ryder was the first of the players with expiring contracts to be moved on by the Stars this season. "Ryds" was coming off a 30-goal season last year and provided a veteran yet easygoing presence in the room during his time in Dallas. But with his contract up, it was clear he was not in the Stars' plans, so he was shipped to a place he knows well in Montreal, which is where he started his NHL career and was a teammate with fellow ex-Star Mike Ribeiro. Since returning to the Habs, Ryder has been nearly a point a game player with 14 points (7-7-14) in 15 games. Cole on the other hand, has struggled to adjust to the Stars and Gulutzan has played him with a number of linemates hoping to get him going but his production has been paltry thus far (3-0-3, minus-9 in 15 games).
Winner: Canadiens

March 24, 2013---LW Brenden Morrow and Third-Round Pick in 2013 to Penguins for D Joe Morrow and Fifth-Round Pick in 2013

Few were shocked to see Morrow moved prior to the deadline. The longtime Stars captain was out of contract at season's end and he had skated up and down the Dallas lineup this season but was a true pro to the end. Now, Morrow heads to Pittsburgh, not only a top contender for this year's Stanley Cup, but he's also reunited with two former Dallas teammates in James Neal and
Matt Niskanen. The Stars get Joe Morrow, who was quickly assigned to the AHL, in the deal along with a pick, so they did get some assets for No. 10, which is the name of the game.
Winner: Penguins (short term), Stars (long term)

Seeing Jagr dealt was a bit of a surprise to some as No. 68, especially since "Jags" had repeatedly expressed how much he liked it in Dallas and stated that he'd like to return past this year. But when Nieuwendyk got a chance to get something for the talented Czech, he pulled the trigger. This deal figures to benefit the B's in the short term while Dallas could experience the long-term benefits from this deal. Stars fans no longer get to see Jagr in a Dallas uniform but they can always remember that he got his 1,000th career assist as a Star, just the 12th player in NHL history to reach that fabled plateau.
Winner: Bruins (short term), Stars (long term)April 2, 2013---C Derek Roy to Canucks for D Kevin Connauton and Third-Round Pick in 2013

Vancouver adds some depth at center in Roy, who played pretty well for the Stars after becoming healthy, while not giving up much in return. Connauton has spent the last two seasons with Chicago of the AHL and he'll quickly join the Texas Stars at the blueline. The Stars also got a third-round pick in this year's draft in exchange for Roy, another player with an expiring contract who the club had not made progress with in terms of reaching an extension. So, this looks like a win-win for both sides. The Stars get a young d-man and a pick for someone they likely would not have been able to re-sign anyway.
Winner: StarsApril 2, 2013—RW Tomas Vincour to Avalanche for D Cameron Gaunce

Vincour had gotten a number of opportunities for the Stars over the last few years both under Marc Crawford and current head coach Glen Gulutzan but the Czech Republic product never could seem to break through to earn consistent ice time. And more recently, he had a rash of costly mistakes on the ice, including an especially noteworthy gaffe in Sunday's 3-2 home loss to the
Kings, so he basically played himself out of town. There's no doubting the talent that Vinny has, maybe he just needs a change of venue. It appears that Gaunce ran into similar circumstances with the Avs. He had basically been stuck with their AHL team for the last few years. He does have 11 games of NHL experience, but was unable to crack Colorado's defensive rotation. Maybe this move will pay off for both Vincour and Gaunce.
Winner: Push